Chapter 78 How To Seduce
A Man
In the ladies‘ room, Renee splashed cold water on her face over and over, desperately trying to calm the storm inside her. No matter how cool or indifferent she acted in front of others, it was always a performance. She could fool them, but never herself. Staring at her reflection in the mirror, she couldn’t even force a smile.
Even after all these years, seeing William–the man she had once loved so fiercely- still sent a dull ache through her heart. If he had truly meant nothing to her, she wouldn’t have been so resolute in keeping Felix after learning she was pregnant in the wake of their separation.
But no matter how deeply the past was etched into her heart, she refused to look back. She chose to see those years of love and devotion as nothing more than a squandered
investment–one she would never make again.
“Renee?”
A voice rang out behind her, pulling her from her thoughts. She lifted her gaze to the mirror and met the eyes of a vaguely familiar face.
Renee searched her memory, sifting through distant recollections, but the name
remained just out of reach.
Turning around, she put on a polite smile and asked, “Sorry, and you are?”
The woman’s face fell instantly, her expression turning sour. It didn’t take much for
Renee to realize this wasn’t a friend–which meant there was no need for niceties.
“So it really is you. You don’t remember me?”
Renee raised a brow and replied bluntly, “Are you someone important? Why would I need to remember you?”
The woman was so enraged that she stumbled over her words, pointing at herself as if the very mention of her name should ring a bell. “I’m Roxanne Walsh. You must
remember me.”
The name did spark a faint memory. After a moment’s pause, Renee recalled that Roxanne was a relative from Esme’s family. And given Esme’s influence, no one in the Walsh family had ever been particularly fond of Renee. With that in mind, Renee saw no reason to extend any warmth toward Roxanne.
“Ah, now I remember,” Renee replied, her tone cool and detached.
Roxanne’s frustration only deepened at Renee’s indifferent attitude, but she bit back her anger, forcing herself to stay composed. With a sharp, sarcastic edge, she sneered. “I thought you left already. What brings you back? Can’t move on from William, huh? What is it now? You’re here to bother him again?”
Renee’s memory sharpened. Roxanne was actually distantly related to Esme’s branch of the Walsh family–not even close to the core, and certainly not tied to the Mitchells. Her only connection to William had been her last name, Walsh, which connected them as distant cousins. And then, there was that little detail Renee couldn’t forget–Roxanne had a long–time crush on William. The thought almost made her laugh.
With a smirk, Renee looked directly at Roxanne and replied, “Quite the opposite, actually. It’s William who’s been pestering me. In the last three years, has he ever been with another woman?”
A mischievous smile tugged at Renee’s lips as she leaned in closer to Roxanne, her voice low and teasing. “I gave you three years, and you still couldn’t win William over? Miss Walsh, it seems you’re not exactly the charmer you think you are. Want me to give you a few lessons on how to seduce a man?”
Roxanne’s face turned crimson with fury as she spat, “You! You bitch! With your slutty tricks, you managed to ensnare William. Have some shame, Renee.”
Renee snapped her fingers with a triumphant grin, leaning in just a bit closer to provoke Roxanne even more. “Exactly. William falls for my slutty tricks, and you just can’t seem to compete. You have no idea how attentive he is in bed. Miss Walsh, you’re playing the innocent card a bit too much. Men don’t go for that. Maybe you should take notes from me.”
With that, Renee gave Roxanne’s shoulder a light, almost pitying pat, her expression dripping with feigned sympathy. Turning on her heel, she stepped out of the restroom
and there he was. William, standing just outside, as if waiting for her.
He was leaning casually against the wall, a cigarette dangling from his fingers, the smoke curling around him like a hazy veil. Through the mist, a faint, knowing smile tugged at his lips as his deep eyes locked onto Renee’s. His voice, low and husky,
carried a hint of mischief as he spoke. “Nene, I’m still very attentive in bed.”
